All three of these men are our great grandfathers. They were influential forces in the founding of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island colonies.
JOSEPH JENCKES, Sr. (1599 or 1602-1683) Joseph Jenckes, Sr. (or Jenks, Jencks, or Jenkes—take your pick of spellings), our 8th grand grandfather, was born in London in either 1599 or 1602 to an old Welsh family. A talented blacksmith, he learned his trade as a sword cutter at Benjamin Stone’s sword factory from about 1629-1641. One of the company’s largest customers was the armory of the Tower of London. His wife, Joan Hearne, died in 1635 and left a son, Joseph Jenckes, Jr. and a daughter, Elizabeth. Meanwhile, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, a large deposit of bog iron was found in Saugus and the colonists wanted to make use of it. English investors persuaded Joseph Jenckes to bring his expertise to open the first foundry and forge in America. He left his children in the care of relatives in 1641 and left his home to help to establish the Saugus Ironworks, now a national historic site rebuilt by the National Park Service. It was a successful venture for many years and employed about 200 workers at its peak. He tried finding investors to start a wire factory, but was unsuccessful. Jenckes married Elizabeth Darling (surname uncertain) and had 4 or 5 more children. Daughter Elizabeth died in England during his absence, but his son Joseph, Jr., sailed from England to join him in the colony in 1647 and learn the ironworks industry from him. Joseph, Sr. died on March 16, 1683. In 1948, an archaeological dig unearthed such items useful to the people of the times as axes, chisels, knives, four water wheels, a water wheel hub and shaft, a cannonball, a sawmill saw blade, a scythe, hoes, spades, ox and horse shoes, and other objects. Colonists would have had to wait for these items to be shipped from England before the opening of Jenckes ironworks. His many accomplishments and inventions during his lifetime included:
JOSPEH JENCKES, Jr. (October 12, 1628 - January 4, 1717) Joseph Jenckes, jr. (7th great grandfather) arrived in Saugus from England in 1647 to learn the foundry business from his successful father and became a skilled ironworker. He married Esther (or Hester) Ballard in 1653 and raised at least 9 children. Sometime before 1660, he moved to Concord, MA, to work at an iron smelting factory, but he returned to Saugus. He was accused of making treasonous remarks while drinking at a pub one night against King Charles II of England and was imprisoned. A witness testified that “If he hade made the King heir, he would cutte of his head and make a football of it.” And another witness quoted him: “I should rather that his head were as his father’s rather than he should come to England to set up properly there.” (He was referring to King Charles I who had been beheaded in 1649). He remained in prison for a year before the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony ruled in his favor and the charges were dropped. Jenckes, Jr. left Massachusetts around 1670 with the intention of building his own forge in Rhode Island. On October 10, 1671, he purchased 60 acres of land on the West Bank of the Blackstone River and created the first permanent settlement of Pawtucket. He is regarded as the founder of the city. By 1675, his settlement was burned to the ground by Indians in the King Phillip’s War, a bloody war fought in 1675-1676 between Native Americans and settlers. After the war, the Jenckes forge was rebuilt. With the addition of a gristmill and a sawmill, it became an essential part of the commerce of the town. There were other settlers there, but Jenckes’ businesses made it a village. It became the center in Rhode Island for metalworks and other trades. In addition to his business interests, he was active in the politics of the colony and served several terms in the Rhode Island Assembly between 1679 and 1698. Other positions he held included a member of the Providence town council, a moderator at town meetings, and a tax assessor, as well as performing marriages. He was elected assistant (colonial representative) to the General Assembly. Two years later, he was elected as Speaker of the House of Deputies after the General Assembly was divided into two chambers, a House and a Senate. Each of his four sons became distinguished citizens as well. Ebenezer was one of the first ordained pastors of the First Baptist Church in Providence. Nathaniel attained the rank of Major in the military. William studied the law and became a judge. And his namesake was the most well-known of the four. JOSEPH JENCKES III (October 12, 1656-June 15, 1740) Joseph III (our 6th great grandfather) followed his father into public service in Rhode Island. He was the eldest son of Joseph Jenckes II and Esther Ballard. His most noteworthy characteristic probably is that he stood 7’2” tall in his stocking feet. The various offices that he held in his lifetime included :
In 1733, he was asked to run for governor once more. His response was, “I now perceive my natural faculties abating. If I should continue longer in office, it is possible I may be insensitive to decay, and be unwilling to to resign my post when I am no longer able to fill it.” Seven years later, he died of dementia and was buried in the family cemetery in Pawtucket. PLAQUE The reddish color plaque pictured above, which is hung in Mineral Springs Cemetery in Pawtucket, RI, says (approximately): Joseph Jenks Pawtucket Pioneers First Joseph Jenks Born England 1602 Died Lynn, Mass Mar 16, 1683 Second Joseph Jenks Born England 1632 Died Pawtucket, RI, Jan 4, 1717 The first white man to build a home in Pawtucket Settled in Pawtucket in 1656 Town Council from 1679-1680 General Assembly Assistant 1680-1698 Founder of Pawtucket, RI Third Governor Joseph Jenks Born in Pawtucket, RI Died Pawtucket June 15, 1740 Buried south of Reeds Street with his parents Brought to Mineral Springs on June 2, 1831 and buried there. Exact location of his grave is not known Admitted as Freeman 5/3/1681 County Auditor 1697-98 Deputy Speaker of the House 1698-1708 Major for the Main 1707-1711 Governor 1727-1731 He was the first person elected Governor outside of Newport, RI
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Bonnie EastonHi! I am a Jones cousin, daughter of Evelyn Jones Easton. Since retiring as a reference librarian after 20 years, I have become a genealogy addict. Our ancestors want to tell us their stories.
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